While starring in the long-running BBCsituation comedyDad's Army, Dunn met bassist Herbie Flowers (later of Sky) at a party and on learning he was a songwriter challenged him to write a song for him. Flowers wrote "Grandad" with Creation vocalist Kenny Pickett.[1][2]
The song was released as a single in November 1970,[3] and, aided by promotion such as appearing on children's shows such as Basil Brush and DJTony Blackburn claiming it as his favourite record, in January 1971 reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks,[4][5] during which time Dunn celebrated his 51st birthday, and went on to spend a total of 27 weeks on the chart.[4] Dunn never had another hit single, but he did release an album that featured "Grandad" and its B-side "I Play the Spoons", titled Permission to Sing Sir!
From 1979 to 1984, Dunn starred as Charlie "Grandad" Quick in a children's television show titled Grandad,[6] although the series did not use the song as the theme tune.
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